Fishing at Black Bear Lake, Inyo County, California

• Overview

  Within Inyo County, California, you have Black Bear Lake. Around the bank it is lake country bush. Small at around 20 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Compared with other California water on our list, it sits high. Nearest place of any size is West Bishop, 19 miles away. The big place round here is Clovis, 62 miles distant. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Black Bear Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Inyo County cover california golden trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The near bank of Black Bear Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 48°F in August and bottoms out near 18°F in February. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late June. Average temperatures cross freezing around late June in spring and again near early November in autumn. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. On Black Bear Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. White Bear Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Black Bear Lake before loading the car.